Who is better lead guitarist or rhythm guitarist?

As in all artistic matters it's a matter of taste (the Doors, for example, had no bass player), but in general I would say it's better to have a competant bass player and guitar player who plays lead, or, even better, an Excellent guitar player who plays both rhythm and lead (recall Jimi Hendrix in front of his drummer and bass player - there were no other musicians or instruments when they played live). Recently I was jamming with some guys. We had a competant drummer and two ok Guitarists, but unfortunately the bass player was very inexperienced and rather closed to learning his musical role (it seemed like he was threatened). This dreary experience ultimately produced vague, wandering music that sounded like it was "cut off at the knees," and it underscored for me the fundamental importance of having a good drummer and bass player who click with each other, so as to lay down the rhythmic foundation for the rest of the band. WB